Clerk of the National Assembly Cecilia Mbewe has apologized to Mazabuka Central UPND member of parliament for imposing a longer suspension period than the 10 days he was supposed to serve.

According to the ruling by Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini on Tuesday, Nkombo was suspended for 10 days with effect from 12th to 26th November 2019 a period which exceeded the announced number of days.

And in a letter dated November 13 and addressed to Nkombo, Mbewe apologized for the inconvenience caused and amended the suspension to the effect that it should end on Thursday, November 21.

“I am directed to refer to the ruling of the Hon Mr Speaker on the above-captioned subject, in which you were placed on ten (10) days suspension from the service of the National Assembly. The suspension was stated to take effect from Tuesday, 12th November 2019 to Tuesday, 26th November 2019. However, on reflection, your suspension should include the days when the House is not sitting. Therefore, your suspension will come to an end on Thursday, 21st November 2019, stated Mbewe.

“Thus, the date for resumption of your parliamentary duties will be Friday, 22nd November 2019, and not Tuesday, 26th November 2019 as earlier stated. In view of the foregoing, the ruling delivered on Tuesday, 12th November 2019 has been amended. Consequently, any inconvenience caused to you sir by the announcement in the ruling that you had been suspended up to 26th November is deeply regretted.”